Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray speaks to the Long Island Business Council in Farmingdale. (May 9, 2013) Photo Credit: Howard Schnapp

Here's auspicious timing: Two sneaky attempts to increase salaries for elected town officials will receive public airings Tuesday in a political day-night doubleheader. Up first is Hempstead's morning hearing on whether to hike town board members' salaries about 7 percent. That night, North Hempstead will hear comment on a 37 percent pay hike for town board members, and smaller percentage increases for other elected officials. Put aside for the moment the party solidarity (Hempstead is Republican-controlled, North Hempstead is Democratic), the size of the raises and whether officials are deserving. Consider the timing: Both proposals were made after Election Day. So board members' votes on the raises were not part of the record on which they ran on Nov. 5. That's plain wrong. If you agree, attend a hearing and speak up.